Latest rain storm bringing flooding, road closures to Dover

Today's rain is causing some flooding problems in and around the City of Dover.

Staff reports

Today's rain is causing some flooding problems in and around the City of Dover.

DelDOT Community Relations Officer James Westhoff said transportation officials were monitoring conditions throughout the state, but said this afternoon that reports of flooding in central Kent County were beginning to come in.

As of 3:45 p.m., transportation officials were asking motorists to avoid driving on roads in Kent and Sussex counties if possible until the rainstorm subsides.

"Water on many roads is creating potentially hazardous driving conditions. If you must drive, please drive with caution. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning until 5:15 p.m.," said Louise Holt, public information officer for DelDOT.

U.S. Route 13 Southbound near White Oak was down to a single lane of traffic due to water on the roads, and Del. Route 8 Eastbound near Dover High School was flooded and closed to traffic, Westhoff said.

High water has also been reported on South Little Creek Road and at Transportation Circle, where DelDOT is headquartered. Incoming tides and the rainfall in the town of Little Creek are also producing significant flooding. Westhoff said officials were monitoring changing conditions and would have additional updates throughout the afternoon.

"When encountering a road that is covered in water, motorists should not drive through the water, because the road might be damaged under the water," Westhoff said. "If motorists come upon a traffic signal that is not working, they should come to a complete stop and treat the intersection like a four-way stop."

Dover Police officers have responded to several accidents throughout the city due to the weather conditions, said Dover Police Spokesman Capt. Tim Stump.

In a three-hour period, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dover officers responded to four accidents, have towed three vehicles out of flooded areas and are in the process of responding to 10 other vehicles stranded or stuck in high water, Stump said.

Drivers are running into problems as they attempt to drive though flooded intersections, he said.

"We advise motorists not to pass through high water," Stump said. "We have officers at a number of locations throughout the city. If an area seems sketchy, drivers should err on the side of caution. If you can avoid being on the road, you should do so."

The Delaware State Police has responded to two personal-injury crashes in the Kent County area this afternoon, said Cpl. Gary Fournier, spokesman for DSP, but it is unknown at this time if those accidents were related to the heavy rain the area is experiencing today.